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7 ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day around Boston, from a vintage market to a vampire rave

The themed cocktails for Time Out Market's Anti-Valentine's Day Bash. (Courtesy of Simone Kronholm/Time Out Market Boston)
The themed cocktails for Time Out Market's Anti-Valentine's Day Bash. (Courtesy of Simone Kronholm/Time Out Market Boston)

Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's Saturday morning newsletter, The Weekender. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here


Here’s my hot take: Valentine’s Day is not just for lovers. (Virginia, on the other hand…)

Love is all around us — in the kindness we impart, and in the grace we give ourselves. It’s layered into our interactions with family and friends (both furry and human). And for that reason, everyone should be able to enjoy this day dedicated to love if they so wish.

These events around Boston invite you to celebrate Valentine’s Day, whether you’re heartbroken, in love or improving your relationship with yourself. Bring your whole family for Valentine’s fun at a farm, focus on self-love at a yoga class or dance your cares away at an Anti-Valentine’s bash — the choice is yours.

Saturday, Feb 8. Valentine’s Fun at the Farm

Good Pickin’ Farm, 5 Gould Rd., Westford

Good Pickin’ Farm in Westford is hosting a day of animal-themed Valentine’s fun. From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., there will be a scavenger hunt, hayrides, crafts, music and sledding on the nearby hills. (Just know it’s BYO sled.) Food and drink will also be available, with Dirigible Brewing and True North Ale Company handling the beer.

And it wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day — or at least the Saturday prior to Valentine’s Day — without an expression of love. That’s why the farm will hold a wedding between Peanut and Trail Mix, two of the farm’s goats, at 3 p.m. Farm staff suggest bringing the couple some hay to snack on as they celebrate their nuptials.

Sunday, Feb. 9 Valentines-themed “Small Mart”

Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square, Somerville

Looking for a unique gift for your Valentine? Visit this artisan and vintage market at the Crystal Ballroom — located above the Somerville Theatre — to find one they’ll love. The so-called “Small Mart” will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry is free, and the bar will be open and serving up both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

Monday, Feb. 10 | Valentine’s Day Paint and Sip

Trident Booksellers, 338 Newbury St., Boston

Make your love your muse at this paint-and-sip event starting at 6:30 p.m. at Trident Booksellers and Cafe. The cost of your ticket will cover materials, and there will be food and drink available for purchase. They’ll also be screening the 2013 rom-com “About Time” for guests to watch (if you can multitask).

  • Know before you go: Tickets are $28.52 and cover one canvas and one set of materials. (You’ll need to buy two for a date.)

Thursday, Feb. 13 | Watch “Casablanca” in Rozzie

The Square Root, 2 Corinth St., Roslindale

Love. Loss. Long drags from a cigarette. The 1942 hit “Casablanca” has it all — with a jazzy soundtrack to boot. If a chill night at the movies sounds like your ideal Valentine’s Day, you’ll want to join the Roslindale Film Society as they watch “Casablanca” at The Square Root. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., and the film begins at 7 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

  • Know before you go: Admission is free (!) but you should still reserve a spot.

Friday, Feb. 14 Anti-Valentine’s Day Bash

Time Out Market, 401 Park Dr., Boston

If Valentine’s Day has you feeling like the Grinch at Christmastime, head down to Time Out Market in Fenway for a night of anti-romantic vibes. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., there will be a DJ at the food hall spinning up tunes you dance the night away and themed cocktails to sip on, too. Choose from anything from “Bad Romance” (a raspberry-chocolate flavored espresso martini) to “Good Luck Babe!” (with tequila, hibiscus, grapefruit and lime).

  • Know before you go: Admission is free. This event is open to all ages, but you must be 21+ to purchase alcohol.

Friday, Feb. 14 | Valentine’s Day Vampire Masquerade

Premiere on Broadway, 517 Broadway, Somerville

Maybe your ideal Valentine’s Day looks more like Nosferatu than Notting Hill. No worries, there’s something happening in the city for you, too. The underground rave collective BLVK DRGN will be hosting its Valentine’s Day Vampire Masquerade at Premiere on Broadway from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Come dressed in your gothic best, and they’ll provide you a mask for the ball (though you can also bring your own).

  • Know before you go: Tickets are $28.52 and you must be 21+ to attend. Organizers ask that you come dressed in gothic, vampiric fashion or black and crimson colors.

Sunday, Feb. 16 | Post-Valentine’s Day Self-Love Yoga

Boston Yoga Union (Coolidge), 1297 Beacon St., Brookline

Last but not least is a yoga event just a couple days after Valentine’s Day that invites you to search for love within yourself. The session starts at 6 p.m. and will go until 8p.m. You’ll practice gentle yoga and focus on your energy, while crystal singing bowls provide a sound bath for the senses during this workshop.

  • Know before you go: Tickets are $40. This will take place at Boston Yoga Union’s Coolidge Corner location (not the Back Bay studio).

P.S.— Planning to get Valentine’s Day flowers for a loved one? You can save money and support independent journalism if you order through WBUR. Click here to explore our options and schedule a delivery of Winston Flowers roses to almost anywhere in New England. Plus, if you order by midnight on Monday, you’ll save 10%.

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